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6 Ways To Cut Pet Care Costs
As I write, a big, beautiful, brindled English bulldog is underfoot, sleeping soundly, as bulldogs do. I cannot claim ownership, but Newcastle ("Newkie" to his family) visits often. He's my granddog — and as precious as they come. So …Read more.
Fun (Cheap) Birthday Gift Ideas for Kids
Several months ago, I got a message from Elaine G., who recently had joined a moms group. With all of her newly minted friendships, she and her little one are getting invitations to lots of toddlers' birthday parties. Her dilemma took me back to …Read more.
What You Need To Know if Your Bank Fails
If it seems that more banks are closing this year than normal, you are absolutely right. Since January 2009, 106 banks and 19 credit unions have failed in the U.S. That's more than four times the number of closings in 2008. It's the most since the …Read more.
Make Your Own Sanitizing Wipes
Dear Mary: I would like to find a recipe to make hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. Do you know of one? — Delores, e-mail
Dear Delores: I have been thinking about the same thing, now that we're learning that products like Purell are …Read more.
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Reader Should Dump Expensive Credit CardDear Mary: I have a credit card that has an annual fee of $150. The card has no balance on it, and I never will use it again. Should I close the account? How low would my FICO score go if I did close it? Right now, my score is more than 800. I still owe $40,000 in credit card debt, and I have $200,000 of available credit. I am working very hard to pay this debt off and do not want to run the risk of interest rate hikes on existing accounts. — Bella, Texas Dear Bella: Close it. Immediately. That $150 annual fee is a total killer, and you do not need it. As credit scores go, it appears that you are in excellent shape, seeing as you have so much available credit. You don't say what the credit limit is on your "hog," but I am going to assume it's $20,000 or less. By dropping your available credit to $180,000, you still would be using only 22 percent of it with the $40,000 balance. Dear Mary: What is a lower-cost alternative to buying expensive face care products from department stores? Perfectionist, by Estée Lauder, is a favorite product of mine. Is there an equivalent that costs less? — Christy, e-mail Dear Christy: Olay has developed an excellent line of skin care products. The products are getting rave reviews by users and dermatologists alike. Purchase them from a drugstore, such as Rite Aid, that has a no-questions-asked return policy on cosmetics and beauty products. Dear Mary: Do you have advice for finding affordable dry cleaning? My daughters wore dresses that are dry-clean-only for my brother's wedding. Because of the beadwork, the cleaners would charge $35. Two cleanings would add up to more than what the dresses cost. Do you have any at-home cleaning tips for dry-clean-only garments? — Sheila P., e-mail Dear Sheila: Have you shopped around to compare the prices of other dry cleaners? I don't know whether I ever have heard of an item costing $35 to dry-clean. There are home dry-cleaning kits available that you use in an ordinary clothes dryer, but if these dresses are heavily beaded, that might not work. I am inclined to suggest you skip the cleaning altogether. Hang the dresses outdoors to air, and then dispose of or store them as you had planned on doing all along. Do you have a question for Mary? E-mail her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com and author of 18 books, including "Can I Pay My Credit Card Bill With a Credit Card?" To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2009 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.
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